asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his estimate of the cost of lowering the male retirement age to 64, 63, 62, 61 and 60 years in a full year; and what is his estimate of the average cost in each age category (a) per single retired person and (b) per retired married couple.

The latest estimate of the cost of reducing the pension age for men is as follows:

Reduction of pension age to	Cost £ million (1983–84)
64	400
63	900
62	1,400
61	1,900
60	2,600

This estimate revises the figures quoted in the Department's memorandum of evidence to the Social Services Committee's inquiry into age of retirement.